In the early morning hours of December 3, 2019, there was a devastating crash scene in San Bernardino County near Victorville. While authorities are still investigating the cause of the crash, early reports indicate that a small sedan collided with a large semi-truck. The sedan sustained extensive damage and the occupants were also seriously injured.
Firefighters worked to free at least one occupant from the wreckage of the sedan. Ambulances transported three other people to nearby hospitals. The San Bernardino Fire Department sent its helicopter to the scene, and it flew a 20-year-old woman to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center. While the current state of the victims is not available, no fatalities were reported at the time of the crash.
Emergency treatment for life-threatening injuries
Semi-trucks are much larger and heavier than passenger vehicles. Unfortunately, this often means that, in a collision between a vehicle and a truck, severe injuries can occur. Often, truck accident victims sustain life-threatening injuries, which can include the following and more:
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Severe traumatic brain injury
- Crushed limbs
- Burn injuries
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
These injuries all require immediate assistance. If you are the victim of a truck-on-vehicle crash, follow these steps to ensure you receive adequate care:
Call 9-1-1
Calling 9-1-1 after a serious accident is important for several reasons. Most importantly, it ensures that emergency medical technicians arrive on the scene and are able to identify whether you or others involved have serious injuries. Victims of truck accidents often require emergency transportation to a nearby hospital.
Go to the emergency room
If the EMTs evaluating you want to take you to a hospital in an ambulance, do not fight it. Even if they think you do not need an ambulance, you should still head to the emergency room as soon as possible. ER doctors can provide emergency trauma care and ensure that your injuries are stabilized, helping you avoid future pain and complications.
When an accident injury is severe, many complications can develop in the weeks following the injury. To limit the long-term effects of your injuries, doctors might want to closely monitor your condition to prevent complications that require further hospitalization and care.
Take time off work
If you are in the hospital, you clearly cannot go to work. In addition, serious injuries can cause limitations and require you to rest in order for a successful recovery, which means you must stay home from work. Lost wages can add up quickly, as you might be out of work for months. Some injuries that cause permanent disabilities might require you to get a new, lower-paying job or rely on disability benefits.
Follow all treatment recommendations
When your doctor recommends treatment, you should ensure that you follow the treatment plan. This not only can improve your prognosis, but it will also demonstrate that you are committed to your physical recovery. If you fail to receive all recommended treatment, the insurance company might question the severity of your injuries, which can lead to problems with the claim process.
Find out how a San Bernardino truck accident lawyer can help in your case
There is no question that truck accidents can be serious and even deadly for those involved. The resulting insurance claims can be challenging to negotiate, as trucking companies work to prevent liability for crashes whenever they can. It is important that you have the right to a San Bernardino personal injury attorney aggressively advocating for your rights and fighting for the compensation you need to cover your medical bills and other losses.
Call (213) 568-4000 or contact us online to speak with the experienced attorneys at Blair & Ramirez LLP and to begin seeking the compensation you deserve. Consultations with our team are always free and confidential.